After the whole body of the militia moved toward the bridge,⁸¹ The British, seeing their own scattered disposition, thought that the militia were going to cut off the British communication with the bridge.⁸² As they came nearer,⁸³ Lt. Waldron Kelly, who commanded the company of the 10th, thought most proper to retire from their situation and join the 4th company.⁸⁴ The two companies joined.⁸⁵ The light infantry of the 4th on Capt. David Brown’s height⁸⁶ looked to their right and saw a large body of men marching.⁸⁷ They still approached in that force that was thought proper by the officers to join the 43rd company at the bridge commanded by Capt. Laurie.⁸⁸ The company of the 4th retreated to the bridge as did the light infantry of the 10th who had been at Ephraim Buttrick's⁸⁹ and both went to the bridge to support the light infantry of the 43rd.⁹⁰ They joined the 43rd company. Capt. Laurie of 43rd then commanded the three companies.⁹¹ The three companies drew up in the road on the west side of the bridge,⁹² on the long causeway before the bridge by the river⁹³ in platoons⁹⁴ and the rebels on the hill above,⁹⁵ the heights which the company of the 4th had occupied,⁹⁶ within 300 or 400 yards of the British,⁹⁷ and there drew up with shouldered arms and halted for a considerable time,⁹⁸ very near an hour,⁹⁹ looking at the bridge.¹⁰⁰ The three companies expecting to be attacked by the rebels, Capt. Walter Sloane Laurie, who commanded the three companies,¹⁰¹ sent Lt. Alexander Robertson of the 43rd to acquaint Lt. Col. Smith of the situation, begging he would send some of the grenadiers to support them in case of an attack.¹⁰² Robertson returned in a very little time with Capt. Lumm, who told them Lt. Col. Smith would send them two companies. Capt. Lumm gallopped as hard as could to hasten the reinforcement.¹⁰³

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